In an effort to encourage residents to ensure their pet’s license is current, the Long Beach City Council on September 8 voted to implement a one-time amnesty program to waive all late fee penalties and encourage voluntary compliance with the City’s pet licensing program. The amnesty program will run through September 30, 2015.

“This is the perfect time for pet owners to update and renew their license and take advantage of the late fee amnesty program,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Licensed pets are reunited faster and, in Long Beach, licensed pets are eligible for a free ride home the first time they are found.”

Additionally, effective October 1, 2015, all dogs over the age of 6 months are required to be spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering are proactive steps toward reducing the number of unwanted pets in the community. The new law will continue to establish Long Beach as a pet friendly city by making our neighborhoods safer, educating pet owners to be more responsible, and reducing the number of animals impounded at the animal shelter.

"I will continue to champion that responsible neighbors, in this case responsible pet owners, should be able to maintain their status," said Councilwoman Stacy Mungo, who brought forth the Pet Licensing Amnesty item with Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal and Councilmember Al Austin. "If you have an intact pet, as long as your license doesn't lapse, you will be able to maintain your existing status."

Any unaltered dog that has a valid license from Long Beach Animal Care Services prior to October 1, 2015 is exempt from the mandatory spay/neuter law as long as the license is kept current. Additional exemptions to the spay/neuter law can be found at www.LongBeachAnimalCare.com. Violations are subject to increasing fines, starting at $100 and increasing to as much as $500.

"I'm proud my colleagues joined me in passing a comprehensive spay/neuter ordinance. Long Beach has made great strides in educating pet owners, and this ordinance is an important part of our ongoing efforts to be the safest large city for people and pets,” said Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, who brought forward the Spay/Neuter Ordinance for City Council approval on March 10, 2015. The agenda item was co-sponsored by Councilwomen Stacy Mungo and Suzie Price.

“We want to encourage people to get their pets spayed or neutered, and we have information on our website about vouchers and other low-cost options available,” said Ted Stevens, Manager of Animal Care Services.

Visit Animal Care Services at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village to adopt, volunteer, donate, license your pet or obtain resources regarding low-cost vaccination and spay/neuter clinics throughout the city. LBACS is located at 7700 East Spring Street in Long Beach. The Village is open Wednesday through Friday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and holidays.